Key-bearing for padlocks



C. W. MEADOWCROFT, Sn. KEY BEARING FOR PADLOCKS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY I0, I918.

1 ,338,5 1 5, Patented Apr. 27, 1920.

Char/Z56 I UNITED STATEfi PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES W. MEADOW'CEUFT. SE, OF PhILADELPHIr'i, PEIN'NSYLVANIA, ASSIGNORTO MILLER LOCK COMPANY, QF-PEILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OFPENNSYLVANIA.

Application filed July 10,

Zn rrZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Cnnnnns WV. MEADOW- onorr, Senior, a citizen of theUnited States,

' in i hiladelphia, Pennsylvanla,

' invented certain Improvements in Key- .liearn'igs i'or Padlocks, ofwhich the following is a specification.

One object of my invention is to design the bearings so that thepreponderance of veight will be at the slot, the tendency of the bearingbeing to remain in position with the slot in line with the slot in thecasing so as to enable a key to be inserted in the lock without havingfirst to turn the bearin to the proper position.

A further object of the invention is to design the key hearing so thatit can be made from a sheet metal blank.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a face view of a padlock illustrating my invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view on the line 2-2, Fig. 1; showing onlythe casing and the key hub, the bolt and the operating mechanism beingomitted; v

Fig. 3 is a detached perspective view of my improved key bearing;

Fig. 4 is a side view;

Fig. 5 is an end view;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view 011 the line 6-6, Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional View on the line 7-7, Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the blank from which the key bearing is made;and

Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are views of modificati ons of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, 1 is the casing of a padlock, made in twoparts 2-2, as illustrated in Fig. 2. 3 is the shackle and 4 is the keybearing adapted to the openings in each of the parts 2 of the casin Thefront part of the casing has a key slot 5, as shown in Fig. 1. In thepresent instance, this key bearing is made from a blank shown clearly inFig. 8 having end portions 6 which form the ends 6 which have theirbearings'in the casing 41: and con necting members 7 and 8. The members7 form the key guides 7 of the bearing and the portion 8 forms the upperconnecting member, which also acts as the upper guide for the key andprevents it from tilting when being inserted. The blank is bent, asshown in Fig. 3, and the end members 6 Specification of Letters Patent.

KEY-BEARING For. PADLOGKS.

Patented Apr. 27, 1920.

1918. Serial No. 244,266.

are cylindrical so that they fit'neatly in the opening in the casing.The connecting portion 7 is shorter than the main bearing portion, asillustrated in Fig. 4, and fits between the two walls of the casing, asshown clearly in Fig. 2, holding the center in the proper position.

It will be noticed that the portions 7 of the key bearing are madesolid, and are of such depth that they overbalance the remainder of thekey bearing so that when the key is withdrawn the key bearing willremain in position in line with the slot in the casing. It has been theusual practice to make the slotted portion of the key bearing lighterthan the remaining portion, consequently, the tendency was for the keybearing to turn so that its slot was out of line with the slot in thecasing and the key had to be partially inserted in the lock to engagethe bearing and then the bearing had to be turned to bring the key inalinemcut with the slot in the casing, after which the key could befully inserted, the portion 7 forming the way for the key, yet not interi'ering with the tumblers or bolt, which are actuated by the key.

In Fig. 9, I have illustrated the bearing without the upper connectingpiece 8, as this may be used where an upper guide is not necessary.

In Figs. 10 and'll, I have illustrated my invention as applied to a keybearing made of a solid piece shaped to form and the upper portion ofthe central barrel is cut away, leaving portions 7 on each side of theslot for the key. These portions overbalance the remaining portion ofthe bearing and will remain in the lowest position with the slot in thebearing in line with the slot in the casing.

Thus it will be seen that I am enabled to make a key bearing in whichthe slot therein will normally be at the bottom and in line with the keyslot 5 in the casing. I am also enabled to make it out of sheet metal.The depending portions 7 not only act as key guides and weights, butthey also hold the bearing in a central position in respect to thecasing.

I claim:

1. The combination in a lock, of a casing; a key bearing mounted in thecasing, said key bearing having cylindrical portions at each end adaptedto the casing and having two longitudinal members spaced apart to form akey-way and connecting the two cylindrical portions, the space betweenthe two cylindrical portions and above the longitudinal members beingopen so that the preponderance of weight of said longitudinal memberswill tend to keep the key hearing in the vertical position with the keyslot at the bottom. A

2. A key bearing for a lock having a cylindrical portion at each endadapted to the casing of a lock and having two'longitudinal membersconnecting the two cylindrical members, said longitudinal membersextending below the cylindrical members and spaced apart to form akey-way and a narrow connecting member at the upper portion of the keybearing, said key bearing being open at each side between thecylindrical end members.

In witness whereof I affix my signature.

CHARLES W. MEADOWCROFT. SR.

